The Costallowe surname came to Ireland with the Anglo- Norman invasion of the 12th century. They were originally from the Norman family Nangles, or de Angulos, and descended in Ireland from Gilbert de Nangle. Costello and associated variations come from the personal name of a son of Gilbert, Oisdealbhach, whose name consists of the elements "os," which means "deer or fawn", and "dealbhadh," which means "in the form of" or "resembling." The Gaelic form of the surname Costallowe, which predated the Anglicized version of the name, is Mac Oisdealbhaigh. This is the earliest recorded example of a Norman family assuming a Mac surname. The prefix O has sometimes been erroneously assumed.

Early Origins of the Costallowe family

The surname Costallowe was first found in County Mayo (Irish: Maigh Eo) located on the West coast of the Republic of Ireland in the province of Connacht, where they were granted lands by the Earl of Pembroke in the Anglo- Norman invasion of 1172.

Early History of the Costallowe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Costallowe research.Another 275 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1500, 1803 and 1865 are included under the topic Early Costallowe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Costallowe Spelling Variations

Church officials and medieval scribes often simply spelled names as they sounded. As a result, a single person's name may have been recorded a dozen different ways during his lifetime. Spelling variations for the name Costallowe include: Costello, MacCostello, Costillo, Costallo, Kostello, McCostello, Caustello, Costellow and many more.

Early Notables of the Costallowe family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Costallowe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Costallowe family to the New World and Oceana

The Irish emigration during the late 18th and 19th century contributed to the melting pot of nationalities in North America, and the building of a whole new era of industry and commerce in what was seen as a rich, new land. Ireland's Great Potato Famine resulted in the worst economic and social conditions in the island's history. And in response to the hunger, disease, and poverty, during this decade the total number of emigrants to leave for North America rivaled all the previous years combined. Those from this decade that arrived on North American shores were not warmly welcomed by the established population, but they were vital to the rapid development of the industry, agriculture, and infrastructure of the infant nations of the United States and what would become Canada. Research into early immigration and passenger lists has shown many people bearing the name Costallowe: Honor Costello who landed in America in 1756; Bernard, Cornelius, Edward, Hugh, J.B. James, John, John B. Lawrence, Mark, Michael, Neal, Patrick, Peter, Philip, Thomas, Timothy, and William Costello, all landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1833 and 1874.

The Costallowe Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.